Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant - COTA - Inpatient

Geisinger•Wilkes-Barre, PA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) provides inpatient occupational therapy care and documents patient care and treatment outcomes in the medical record in accordance with department policies and regulatory requirements. The role assists an Occupational Therapist in evaluating, planning, directing, and delivering treatment to patients of all ages. It follows unit-specific standards, clinical guidelines, and protocols, and supports assessments of patients’ physical, social, and psychological needs across admissions and discharges. The COTA helps develop and carry out individualized plans of care with patients, families, and the healthcare team; administers and evaluates treatment; and adjusts care based on patient response or progress. The position also coordinates care and discharge planning, participates in care conferences, provides patient and family education, and addresses equipment and therapy needs after discharge when applicable. Work is typically performed in a clinical environment.

Requirements

Associate's degree in Occupational Therapy.
Certification as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
Comply with applicable healthcare policies, ethics, and regulatory requirements.
Skills in interpersonal communication, physiotherapy, rehabilitation assessment and care, rehabilitation practices and programs, teamwork, and therapeutic treatment.

Nice To Haves

At least 2 years of related work experience.

Responsibilities

Assist the Occupational Therapist with evaluation, directing, planning, and providing occupational therapy treatment for patients of all ages.
Follow unit-specific standards of care, clinical guidelines, protocols, and department policies and procedures.
Assist with assessments addressing patients’ physical, social, and psychological needs and those of their families; assessments are completed on admissions and discharges.
Help formulate plans of care with patients, families, and other healthcare team members based on identified patient problem areas.
Administer treatments according to priority and department procedures.
Evaluate the effectiveness of therapy interventions and revise plans of care based on patient response or lack of progress.
Coordinate and provide patient care, discharge planning, and patient and family education through care conferences.
Provide patient- and family-specific education and instructions related to individual treatment programs.
Document standardized assessments, reassessments, treatments, treatment responses, discharge summaries, and education accurately and in a timely manner.
Arrange patient equipment and therapy needs after discharge when applicable.
Make patient assignments with other team members and direct or adjust assignments in response to changes in patient situations.
Use patient and employee occurrence and incident reports.
Interpret and follow policies and guidelines to define procedures and meet goals and deadlines.
Comply with job-specific obligations and organizational policies and procedures.

Benefits

Health, dental, and vision benefits starting on day one.
Three medical plan choices, including an expanded network for out-of-area employees and dependents.
Pre-tax healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSA) and a health savings account (HSA).
Company-paid life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage.
401(k) plan with automatic Geisinger contributions.
Paid time off accrual plan.
Up to $5,000 in tuition reimbursement per calendar year.
MyHealth Rewards wellness program with a financial incentive.
Adoption and fertility assistance.
Parental leave pay and military leave pay.
Free Care.com membership with discounted backup care.
Employee Assistance Program with childcare, eldercare, and pet-care referrals; legal guidance; mental health visits; work-life support; and digital self-help tools.